Moistening device



July 14, 1931. T. c. WAUGH 1,814,776

MOISTENING DEVICE Filed Aug. '7. 1929 INVENTOR Homes C Waugf bt WML,MJMMZZ his attorneys Patented (luly 14, 1931 UNITED STATES THOMAS C. WAUGH, OF INGRAM, PENNSYLVANIA MOISTENING DEVICE l Application. filed August 7, 1929. Serial No. 384,215.

This invention relates to a moistening device, which is particularly adapted to be mounted on a baluster at the head of a bowling-alley and there to be used to moisten the hands of bowlers.

Heretofore, it has been common practice to place a wet sponge in the open dished-head of a baluster to serve as a hand-moistener for bowlers. The water retained by the m sponge evaporates, and, in general, there is no regulated or uniform amount of moisture given up to the hand grasping the sponge. Furthermore, such use ofa sponge is, obviously, very unsanitary. It is the object of my invention to provide a moistening device in which the water is enclosed to prevent evaporation.

A further object of my invention is to provide a moistening device which, in its manipulation, tends to moisten a hand uniformly, or to the same degree of dampness, each time that it is used. I A. still further object of my invention is to provide a hand-moistening device having a ball fixed to revolve in contact with water, and thereby to cleanse itself automatically during its operation.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a view in plan elevation showing the assembled device of my invention; and Figure 2 is a central vertical sectional view through the same, indicating in dotted lines the haluster upon which it is mounted.

Referring to the drawings, the device comprises a stamped metal body having the bowl member 1 over which, with the flange engagement at 2, the cover portion 3 is fitted. VA

ball 4 is vertically borne by the ball-bearing 5 which is seated in the socket 6. Lateral 40 support is given to the ball 4: by the flanged annulus 7, which may be removably retained on the cover 3 by means of the several screws 8. Obviously, the ball so positioned is free to be universally revolved. p The ball 4 may be formed hollow of sheetmetal, such as sheet-copper, or it may be formed solidly of any suitable non-corrosive material. As illustrated, the bowl member 1 serves as a reservoir for the water 9. Of course the water should wet the lower surface of the ball so that, as the hand is drawn over the ball it will revolve and present a wet surface. Regardless of the depth of the water in the bowl member the amount thereof which adheres to the surface of the ball, as it is slowly revolved, will be practically uniform each time the device is manipulated. That is to say, the moistening eflYect is substantially uniform.

Thecover member 3 together with the ball 4 and the flanged annulus 7 afford an effectual seal to prevent evaporation of the water within the bowl. It should be noted that the annulus 7 is arranged to fit closely around the surface of the spherical ball 4 above its horizontal diameter. This, obvious- 1y, will normally prevent the ball from dislodging from its operative position on the supporting bearing 5.

A vertical support, such as the bearing 5, is greatly to be desired. This is for the reason that it prevents the ball (when un der the pressure of a hand) from descending into the water and causing it to flush upward ly and over the edges of the container.

To replenish the water within the device, it is simply necessary to remove the annulus 7 and the ball. Aside from the advantages of the combination outlined above, it may be added that this structure is further desirable because of its attractive appearance when it is appropriately mounted on the top of a post or baluster.

What I claim is 1. A moistening device including a reservoir for water and a ball mounted therein to rest partially in the water, together with a bearing for vertically supporting the ball so resting in the water, which bearing is adapted to permit universal rotation of said ball.

2. A moistening device including a reservoir for Water and a ball mounted therein to rest partially in the Water, together With means for Vertically and laterally supporting the ball so resting in the Water, which means lzgrelaclapted to permit ready rotation of said In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

THOMAS C. WAUGH. 

